COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health System

DATE:

April 24, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May19, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System

Louise Rogers, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1) Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County for the provision of transitional residential treatment and supported housing for seriously mentally ill adults, housing for transition-age youth and Flexible Fund administration, for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, for a maximum obligation of $1,525,366; and

2) Authorizing the Chief of the Health System or designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 8: Help vulnerable people─the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth, and others− achieve a better quality of life.

The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing transitional residential treatment and supported housing for seriously mentally ill (SMI) adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders who are at risk of homelessness, housing for transition-age youth (TAY), and Flexible Fund administration.

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a range of services to promote wellness and recovery and to support consumers remaining in the lowest possible level of care. The provision of transitional residential treatment is one established level of care. The services provided through this Agreement contribute to this measure.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2008-09
Estimate

FY 2009-10
Target

Transitional Residential Services: Percentage of clients maintained at current or lower level of care.

71%

71%

BACKGROUND:

The Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA) has contracted with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to provide shelter, supported housing and other mental health rehabilitation services to San Mateo County clients for many years. These services focus primarily on providing low cost, community-based alternatives for BHRS clients who are at risk of an acute inpatient psychiatric admission, placement in a locked skilled nursing facility, or becoming homeless. In addition, MHA provides Flexible Funds administration for Adult and Older Adult Services and the Pathways Program. Flexible Funds are used to purchase unique services for BHRS clients such as food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities to help them maintain independent living in the community, to remain engaged in mental health services, and to avoid hospitalization.

DISCUSSION:

BHRS is contracting with MHA for the provision of rehabilitation services for SMI adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders and emergency short-term housing at the Spring Street Emergency Shelter for homeless, mentally ill clients. MHA will also provide Shelter Plus Care Project coordination, operate the Friendship Center, and administer Flexible Funds for Adult and Older Adult Services and the Pathways Program. In addition, MHA will secure and manage twenty (20) units of high-quality housing for transition-age youth (TAY) Full Service Partnerships (FSP) enrollees. Under the B-1 Administrative memorandum, the selection of providers of housing services for BHRS clients is exempt from the Request For Proposals (RFP) process.

The Agreement has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and Risk Management. The contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The Agreement maximum is $1,525,366. Medi-Cal will fund $261,902, sales tax provided through realignment will cover $819,574, and $230,000 will be provided through Mental Health Services Act funding for Support Housing. The Net County Cost is $213,890, which includes the County match for the Supportive Housing Project. The funds have been included in the BHRS FY 2009-10 Recommended Budget.